Whispers Forum

After the massive downfall in Bihar Assembly polls-2025 Congress now looks forward to better performance in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In Tamil Nadu, where they have a secondary role and are banking on DMK and Mamata didi in WB since she has a strong hold in the state. But would didi be keen on shaking hands with Congress after its mighty Bihar defeat? So, that leaves Congress with Kerala (where the Left has a strong hold) and Assam. Under these circumstances the big question is if this is the case of Congress what is going to happen to INDIA block.
Tyaga Roy

Bihar’s current mandate makes one thing clear: no stable government in the state can function effectively without the BJP’s support. This puts the INDIA bloc in a tricky position. If they try to pull Nitish towards them, they can’t offer the PM post—doing so risks losing Bihar permanently and would also trigger major internal conflict within their own ranks.
Even if they attempt a TDP-style arrangement—bringing both TDP and JDU together—the numbers won’t solve their bigger problem: insufficient strength in the Rajya Sabha. This means any such coalition would essentially be a lame-duck government, able to pass only financial bills, while most major legislation would get stuck in the upper house.
Overall, the political arithmetic suggests that, despite creative coalition possibilities, governance without BJP’s support remains structurally weak at the national level.
A Visitor

Sheikh Hasina’s death sentence, awarded by the Bangladesh’s international crimes tribunal in absentia, does not constitute a fair trial.It is a travesty of justice.The so-called Kangaroo court packed with compliant judges,awarded death sentence in collusion with the Yunus administration. Bangladesh has been promised general elections early next year.The ruling dispensation headed by chief advisor Md Yunus will,however, seek their deferment citing disturbed conditions.
No doubt, Sheikh Hasina successfully secured India’s borders from Islamists and north-eastern militant groups, and made the Hindu minority feel safe. Keeping her in India is as important for us as her return to Bangladesh for her opponents. But,she has also a lot to explain.For instance,why her government failed to hold talks with the protesters last year and why she ordered crackdown on students
Dhaka’s demand for her return by invoking the India-Bangladesh extradition treaty,has been “noted” by India.But,will such a soft-line approach help? There are reports that Dhaka may seek intervention of Interpol in bringing the former prime minister back to her country.
Pakistan’s army chief has warned that war this time will start from India’s eastern borders. “Islamabad cannot discount the possibility of an "all-out war" with India”,says Pak’s defence minister.
The important question before New Delhi is: how to navigate its range of options.The NIA’s interrogation of the Red fort blast accused point to a clear joint conspiracy involving Pakistan,Turkiye and Bangladesh.More blasts could be in the pipeline. Immediate military strikes on Pakistan and Bangladesh,are necessary to bring the perpetrators to justice as promised by PM Modi.
A K Saxena (Former civil servant)
Social Media is abuzz
Social media is abuzz with such news and it has a credence due to amendment sought in Finance act 2025 and Reference points for 8th pay commission.. Retired employees who draw confidence due to pension are fearful of their future . It might reflect otherwise if there are tricks up sleeve in gov sections. Government should ensure that like 7th Pay commission there will be no change for formula for pensioners and in no case pension will freeze on the level it is now or before 01-01-2026... If feelings are hurt and so
Raj Bahadur Singh

The complainant had sought information regarding the exact number of Nikkah (Marriage) conducted by the Janab. M. Mohamed Ali Maraicar, Khazi, Karaikal District since his appointment in the post till 30.9.2023. The application was forwarded under Rule 6(3) of RTI Act, 2005 since certain information sought in the application pertain to the other office with a request to provide the required information directly to the applicant. The CIC noted that the PIO took appropriate steps under Section 6(3) of the RTI Act to forward the request to the authority holding the information (District Government Khazi), and the Complainant was informed about the same. Subsequently, a composite reply was provided on 19.12.2023. The CIC held that there is no evidence of wilful denial or refusal by the Respondent authority and disposed of the complaint.
Comments
The RTI Act mandates that where a public authority does not hold the information but has made bona fide efforts to forward the request to the relevant authority, the PIO is not held liable under the Act as no mala fide iss established on part of the Respondent.
Citation: J Mohammed Bilal v. Puducherry State Waqf Board, CIC/UTPON/C/2024/102435; Date of Decision 01.05.2025
Dr Anuradha Verma (dranuradhaverma@yahoo.co.in) is a RTI Consultant currently working with IIM Vishakhapatnam. She has co-authored the books PIO’s Guide to RTI and Right to Information – Law and Practice. Her weekly article is being published since 2008 on this site. She offers consultancy on RTI matters and third party audit to individuals / organisations. Her other articles can be read at the website of RTI Foundation at the link https://www.rtifoundationofindia.com

Some truths of the time we live in – a distilled look at the forces shaping our world today. In today’s world, information is abundant but wisdom is scarce. We live in times where we see many humans but not humanity. Speed is the new norm, patience the new luxury. We live in times where the rich have more rooms than children and the poor have more children than rooms. Connection is everywhere, loneliness is widespread. We are digitally linked to millions, yet many feel emotionally disconnected and unseen. Technology connects our devices but divides our attention. We live in times where smart phones bring you closer to those who are far, but distance you from those who are closer. We can reach anyone instantly, but we struggle to be fully present with the people right in front of us. It is a common sight to see people glued to their devices inconsiderate of people present nearby. We are globally connected, yet existentially isolated. We have never been so interlinked, yet many feel profoundly alone.
We know more about the world, but less about ourselves, that is, external awareness is rising, whereas inner awareness is declining. Choice has exploded, satisfaction has shrunk. Endless options can paradoxically make decisions harder and happiness more fragile. We live in times where single mother can look after ten children but ten children cannot look after single mother. Progress is real and so are its shadows, meaning we have achieved extraordinary breakthroughs, but each innovation brings new ethical, social and environmental questions. We live in times where many know the price of everything but not the value of anything. This is a time where voices are amplified, but truth is contested. That is, everyone can speak, but not all voices illuminate. We live in times where our contact lists are huge but our relationships are poor. We live in times where the rich walk miles to digest food while the poor walk miles to search for food. We live in time where our possessions are more but our appreciation is less. Meaning to say, we are richer in comfort but poorer in contentment. Unlike yesteryears, life has comparatively fewer physical struggles, yet mental and emotional burdens have grown. We chase visibility more than authenticity, that is, being seen has become more important than being known.
We live in time where we know how to earn a good living but somehow forget how to live a good life. Deep down, we sense that something essential is slipping away, not because the world is ending, but because we are forgetting how to simply be human.
Subbiah Sridhar
Only BJP ticket is a ray of hope
Every Congress leader wants to move to the BJP, and the reason is simple: they know that they can't win the elections from any other party's ticket, and only getting a BJP ticket can fulfill their dreams. It is a sad truth though that our political leaders are too afraid to even fight with the government now.
N Thakur

I have been following the diatribe by LOP in Parliament and by the Congress Party on the Election Commission’s SIR program.
I am attaching a factual data input for your esteemed site below:-
It shows that the Congress Party has modified the Electoral Rolls 11 times since 1947.
Not a whisper was uttered by the people of India as the Election Commission was carrying out its duty as per the national requirements and not a political party.
The same process is being faithfully executed by the EC today.
It is time the country knew the correct perspective of SIR as honestly and faithfully carried out by our Election Commission.
Warm regards,
Devindra Sethi .
Transparency is key to good governance
Well taken that Vote Chori is a fake narrative! But can anyone clarify where has the loan taken by the GOI since 2014 from 55 lakh crores to 2.5 lakh crores gone and which all projects? As it's a burden on us Indians and not on political parties in power. Transparency is key to good governance with equal opportunity.
Rajesh

India has to formulate only a long term policy about Bangladesh and Pakistan in the context of the developing “New Form of Colonisation”. They may be permitted to keep their names but they will only be protectorates of the coloniser/s run by dictators to serve the interests of the master.
M L Gupta
Vote Chori
Yes it backfired as 65 lakhs vote got deleted did anyone see 65 people also on ground protesting against it,Vote percentage not totally but got increased as people felt cheated with lies as every one was giving vote,this is only propaganda by just saying this and that and trying to create havoc, calling gen-z indirectly calling it for making it nepal congress has lost the plot they are not understanding people pulse and this is due to frustration of not being in power for just 11 years but it will continue for long and only in 11 years they started fake narrative such as democracy khtre main hai nhi kaam krega.
A visitor